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5 dead after plane crashes near Falcon Field Airport in Mesa

by November 6, 2024

Five people died after a small plane crashed on Greenfield Road near Falcon Field in Mesa late Tuesday afternoon.

The plane, an HA-420 HondaJet, crashed into a vehicle just outside the airport after takeoff around 4:40 p.m., officials said.

Federal Aviation Administration spokesman Donnell Evans said five people were on board. Local authorities did not say whether the passengers were among those who died.

Emergency vehicles blocked the road and traffic near the airport was expected to be paralyzed for hours.

“We are investigating a plane crash at Greenfield and McKellips Road in Mesa,” Mesa police said in a post on X. “The entire area will be closed for several hours. Please find an alternative route.”

Officials said Greenfield Road was closed northbound at Brown Road and southbound at McDowell Road. McKellips Road was closed eastbound at Val Vista Drive and westbound at Higley Road.

Flames and smoke could be seen in the area.

A small field separates the airport runways from Greenfield Road. There is an orchard on the west side of Greenfield Road.

The aircraft is described by the manufacturer as a “light business jet”. It has six seats and a range of 1,600 miles with a top speed of 483 miles per hour. The HA-420 jet was the first aircraft developed by HondaJet and made its first flight in 2003, according to industry trade publications.

The aircraft is 46.6 feet long, 14.9 feet tall and has a wingspan of 39.8 feet. It has two wing engines. The aircraft costs approximately $5.8 million new.

HondaJet operates an authorized service center at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport. There is a HA-420 for sale on the website. It was built in 2017 at a cost of $3.4 million.

The FAA and the National Transportation Safety Board should investigate the incident, Evans said.

The NTSB is leading the case and is expected to provide updates Wednesday, said Marrisa Ramirez-Ramos, spokeswoman for Mesa Fire and Medical.

“Our community suffered a tragic loss this afternoon,” Ramirez-Ramos said.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates.

(This story has been updated to add video and photos.)

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